Panagia Drosiani Church

Meet your guide at Naxos Bus Transfer Office, right outside Naxos Port and drive directly to your first stop, Demeter’s Temple. Admire the impressive restored sanctuary, take amazing pictures and visit the small on site museum. Next stop will be Chalki village, the old capital and commercial center of Naxos. Get free time (approx. 40’) to explore its colorful alleys, shop unique souvenirs, visit the distillery of “Vallindras” or just enjoy a coffee at one of its cozy cafes. In the all year-round lively village of Filoti, you will visit the main church and explore the interesting collection of the folklore museum, exhibited in an old traditional house. A short, yet overwhelming visit that allows you a sneak-peak in the local life of the villagers, understand their strong bonds with the church and experience their genuine hospitality by tasting two of their local products: cheese and raki. Continue driving through old olive groves and reach Panagia Drosiani, a church of unique architectural style devoted to Virgin Mary- considered among the oldest in the Balkans! Here you will make a short stop to take pictures and if the church is open, also pay a quick visit to admire its unique frescoes. Outside Kinidaros village you will make a short stop by the road to photoshoot the contemporary marble quarries before you reach Flerio valley. Walk through its lush gardens and meet the Kouros Statue, one of the most striking examples of Naxian marble art. *On Tuesdays and on the 1st of May the Temple of Demeter is closed and instead you will visit a traditional pottery workshop in Damalas Village.

The hike takes a route through small and picturesque traditional villages and areas of unrivaled natural beauty. You'll start and end your hike at Halki, a gem village which boasts samples of remarkable neoclassical architecture. You'll be leaving Halki behind us as you hike through the scenic valley of Tragea, dotted with Byzantine churches different in architectural style and from various eras, some decorated with outstanding frescoes. You ’ll hike through the area’s olive, fig, and citrus groves to reach Panagia Drosiani, one of the Balkans’ oldest churches. Dating back to the 6th century AD, it’s considered one of Naxos’ most significant Christian monuments. Halfway into your hike, you’ll be reaching the village of Moni and, after a short break under the shade of the trees, you’ll continue to the scenic small villages of Kaloxylos and Akadimoi. There you will make a stop at the old Olive press factory. In this atmospheric space, you will discover the way in which olive oil was produced a hundred years ago. Then in the heart of the village of Kaloxylos you'll visit the folklore museum where you will have the opportunity to take a step back in time and marvel at the rare collections of a bygone age. From start to finish, you’ll be in the company of Nature: forested landscapes, dirt trails and stone-paved paths, a verdant ravine, clusters of oaks and plane trees, all join forces to make your hike an unforgettable one! At the end of your hike, you'll visit the local distillery producing Kitron, Naxos’ citrus-based liqueur, to toast life, laughter, new friends, and a day to remember! Your hike ends with a delicious meal at one of the island's best traditional tavernas under the shade of a climbing grapevine (optional meal). Join us and experience true Naxos at its best!

First stop is Dionysos temple at Yria sanctuary , The ruins that survive today show that the temple was built approximately in the 6th century BC following the Ionian architectural style. In the 1st century BC, the Romans reconstructed it. During the 5th century AD, after the religion of the Olympian gods had failed, the temple converted to a Christian church.Adjacent to the monument lies a small room with findings from the site.(entrance fee 3€ pp ). Next stop is Demeter s temple , a spectacular recently restored ancient temple of 530 BC. Apart from the impressive monument ,you ll have the chance to visit the archeological museum located in the same area ,giving you the chance to see findings from the site.(entrance fee 4€ pp in cash only) Afterwards we ll have a 35min break at Chalki village ,where you ll have the chance to try citron liquor at the citron distillery ,try local honey or more,have a coffee break . Then we ll visit Kaloxylos village so as to stop at the Ergostasio Naxos for a delicious Olive Oil & olive products tasting.Whoever s interested ,there s the option of Kaloxylos folklore museum where visitors have the opportunity to rediscover the past, enjoying rare collections of farming implements, household utensils, stamps, coins and school memorabilia, lovingly displayed in the folklore museum.In this elegant neoclassical buiding, visitors can discover the only rope making workshop still existing in the Cyclades as well as the village grocery emporium, dating back to 1935. Last but not least is the stop is Panagia Drossiani ,the oldest Byzantine Church in the Balcan Peninsula with really unique frescoes.

We start our walk from Kourounochori village and in about an hour ,after having enjoyed landscapes,crossing villages ,streams,olive and fruit trees we ll get to Flerio area where we shall visit the 2 KOUROS statues,excellent samples of the archaic period(6th cen BC) sculpture. Then we get on our coach and have a photo stop at the marble quarry and following stop is the church of Panagia Drossiani (4th cen AD) with the unique architecture.Afterwards we ll stroll at the neoclassical village of Chalki ,tasting citron liquor at the oldest distillery of the island and trying honey and more. Next stop is Kaloxylos where we ll visit a traditional olive press and have a delicious olive oil and olives tasting session. Then we ll head to most populated village of Naxos,Filoti, and we ll time travel while visiting and exploring the old market place. In the end of the tour if you wish,we could have a break having a coffee at a traditional café ,in greek kafenio. How about learning more about rural life? We ll visit a real farm and we ll learn all about cheese,try some and animal tending.Last but not least stop will be the famous marble village,Apiranthos ,where after the village tour there will be lunch break time tasting special village recipes.In the end ,we hope you ll know Naxos like the back of your hand!

Herbalism and Wildlife is a nature experience for those who want to imerse in the beauty of the unique Cycladic ecosystem. We are going to follow a circular trail starting from Chalki village discovering annual and perenial vegetation, bird species and insects. We are going to observe different colours and patterns of wild flower species and recognise edible and medicinal plants. This is one of the most "get in contact" experiences and that's the beauty in it. You will get in contact with a Local plants herbarium, with local fruits and vegetables. ...

Our first stop is Kouros of Melanes or Kouros the Greek,asit s widely known. It an imprsessive 6th century BC statue abandoned in the ancient marble quarry,a perfect sample of Archaic period sculpture. Then we have a photostop ,as close as possible of the biggest modern Naxos’ marble quarry. We cross Kynidaros and drive along vineyards ,enjoying mountain view on whirlwind streets and head to our next photostop close to Panagia Drosiani ,with magnificent view of Tragea Valley. Next stop is Filoti the biggest village of Naxos Island ,located on the feet of Zas Mountain ,where you ll have free time to explore the village,walk towards the church of Panagia Filotitisa,visit the Folklore museum,walk at the Old Market Place or have a coffee at the famous village square under the Platanos tree. Following stop is Apiranthos,the marble village famous for the cobbled streets,alleys which are perfect to take photos and create new memories of your Greek holidays. We drive towards the North part of Naxos island and we end up on the Northest edge of Naxos,at Apollonas village ,a small typical Cycladic village ,ideal for swimming or just relaxing at the various cafes by the sea. On our way back we stop at the impressive Kouros statue ,a colossal unfinished statue of the 6thcen BC and then we head back to Chora,following the North-Northwest coast of the island, enjoying view of Agia tower and North Cyclades islands. Last bu least stop is Eggares Olive press where apart from olive oil inforamtion you ll have an unforgettable tasting session!

~Dimitras Temple We start our Tour from Dimitras Temple in Sangri village. The temple is located 1.5 km south of Ano Sangri and was built around 430 BC. It is one of the first Ionic Temples and was built entirely by marbles from Naxos. ~Pottery Workshop(Damalas) Our next stop is the famous pottery workshop of Mr.Manolis Libertas in Damalas. ~Chalki Village We continue in Chalki where we will visit the Citrus Distillery Vallindras and then talk a walk around the picturesque and traditional village of Chalki. ~Panagia Drosiani Reaching Panagia Drosiani which is a historical monastery south of Moni Village and it is said to be the monastery with the oldest murals in the Balkans. On the way to Kouros of Flerio we will meet the Mountain with the marbles at Kinidaros Village. ~Kouros Flerio We head to the Village of Melanes to visit the Kouros of Flerio ,archeologiacal research shows it dates back to 570 B.C. Its height is one of the most impressive features reaching almost 6 meters while one leg is broken. ~Eggares We finish our Tour from Eggares Village where we will visit a traditional Olive press Museum one of Naxos oldest remaining Olive mills recently renovated. The Eggares olive press dates back to ,at least ,the late 1800 when it pressed locally-grown olives for the village community. Now is the time we going back at your hotel!